Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

AAS in Respiratory Therapy Technology

Associate of Applied Science
Central Virginia Community College

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree 12 clinical hours are required each week
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

Admission is competitive and based on grades, performance on the College’s placement tests, interviews, and demonstrated interest in pursuing  a career in an allied health care field . Students should schedule an appointment with a counselor to discuss general admission to the college and to the respiratory therapy program. Students should complete the Allied Health application process by April 15, prior to the fall semester of desired admission. Late applicants will be considered if there are available positions in the program. Applicants must successfully complete a background check prior to final admission into the program.

Considerations When Selecting Courses

Adherence to the guided pathway ensures completion of the program in a timely manner

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Central Virginia Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses Students are required to submit a background check along with health and immunization records. 12 clinal hours are required each week.
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights Professional focus on cardiopulmonary system. The program has 100% job placement of graduates.
Program Credit Requirements
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The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
AAS in Respiratory Therapy Technology
72
Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy Technology
72
Respiratory Therapy Tech (AAS)
72
BIO 141
4
BIO 141
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 142
4
BIO 142
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 111
3
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 222
3
RTH 222
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 290
3
RTH 290
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Social Science Elec (3 crs)
3
Social Science Elec (3 hrs)
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
EMS 165
1
EMS 165
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 169
1
EMS 169
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 121
3
RTH 121
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 101
3
RTH 101
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 132
4
RTH 132
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 217
2
RTH 217
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 102
3
RTH 102
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV 100 College Success Skills
1
SDV 100 College Success Skills
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
RTH 190 (3CR)
3
RTH 190
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 131
4
RTH 131
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 145
2
RTH 145
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 190 (3CR)
3
RTH 190 B
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 190 (2CR)
2
RTH 190
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Humanities (3 hrs)
3
Humanities Elective (3 hrs)
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
RTH 223
2
RTH 223
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 224
2
RTH 224
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 236
3
RTH 236
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 290
3
RTH 290 B
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 245
2
RTH 245
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 225
3
RTH 225
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 195
2
RTH 195
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion For students transferring to CVCC with an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, SDV 100 credit is awarded. Additional coursework will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Transfer credit will be awarded for equivalent coursework from regionally accredited institutions for which the student earned a grade of C or higher.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School For students transferring to CVCC with an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, SDV 100 credit is awarded. Additional coursework will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Transfer credit will be awarded for equivalent coursework from regionally accredited institutions for which the student earned a grade of C or higher.
Credit for Prior Learning CVCC awards credit for qualifying scores in AP, CLEP, DANTES, and institutional challenge exams. Credit may also be granted for military service and formal learning experiences.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Central Virginia Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
150
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Students are drawn to CVCC’s affordable tuition rates, convenient locations (Lynchburg, Amherst, Appomattox, and Bedford), small classes, and a variety of online and on-campus course offerings.
Transfer Student Catalog Year
First Year Student Catalog Year The catalog used to determine graduation requirements is the one in effect at the time of the initial program placement into the plan from which they are graduating or any subsequent catalog of their choice.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.vccs.edu/transfer-programs/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Respiratory TherapyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Respiratory TherapyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeRespiratory Therapy, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Respiratory TherapyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1071.00Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
29-2099.00Health Technologists and Technicians, All OtherAll health technologists and technicians not listed separately.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2099.01Neurodiagnostic TechnologistsConduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2099.05Ophthalmic Medical TechnologistsAssist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2099.08Patient RepresentativesAssist patients in obtaining services, understanding policies and making health care decisions.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-1126.00Respiratory TherapistsAssess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 72 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the AAS in Respiratory Therapy Technology at Central Virginia Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 5 semesters or 2.5 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $172 Per Credit $12,384 $0 $12,384 Tuition rate available to Active Duty, Reserves, and Honorably Discharged military members and their qualified family members with supporting documents.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.
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